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Title page for ETD etd-11192012-163614

Type of Document

Master's Thesis

Author

Bright, Vanessa Rochelle

URN

etd-11192012-163614

Title

Multimodal nanoparticles for cancer therapy and imaging

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Chemical and Physical Biology

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name

Title

Wellington Pham, Ph.D.

Committee Chair

C. Chad Quarles, Ph.D.

Committee Member

J. Oliver McIntyre, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Keywords

nebulization

nanoparticles

Immunotherapy

NIR dye

Date of Defense

2012-08-31

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

In this thesis, the power of synthetic chemistry and colloidal nanotechnology are employed in the advancement of cell therapy and imaging. A new approach to dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy is examined with the use of a MUC1 tumor mouse, and the utilization of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles as delivery vehicles is also explored. The nanoparticle is conjugated to MUC1 tumor antigen and α-GalCer, an innate immune adjuvant. Preliminary data of the efficacy of this therapy are presented, thus promoting further research in this area. This multimodal nanovaccine enables activation of DCs endogenously. Nebulization is examined as a means of delivering the nanovaccine to the DC-rich tissues of the lungs. Results of staining and imaging of the lungs and lymph nodes (LNs) indicate that the lung-based DCs can take up nanoparticles and migrate to the LNs. To embark in yet another imaging modality for tracking DC migration in a small mouse model we also develop a novel near-infrared (NIR) dye.